Soroti blood bank opens as VP Alupo pledges improved health access

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Soroti residents and those from surrounding districts will now benefit from quicker access to safe blood after Vice President Jessica Alupo commissioned the new regional blood bank in Arapai on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

Alupo said that the facility symbolises life, hope, and the steadfast commitment of the government to protect the health and dignity of every Ugandan.

Suzan Acakara, the laboratory officer screening blood in the newly launched blood bank in Soroti. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

She explained that blood is crucial for life-saving interventions, particularly in maternal health, surgeries, trauma care, children with anaemia, cancer treatment and organ transplants.

However, for years, the region has struggled to access timely, safe and adequate blood. This has caused delays in transfusions, placed stress on health workers and ultimately led to loss of lives.

Alupo reaffirmed government’s commitment to bringing services as close as possible to the people.

She applauded the Ministry of Health and other Ugandans who contributed to the initial funding of the project.

"It is no doubt that with improved health amenities, families and communities spend less on health services, save what would have been spent, ultimately translating into the entire Socio-economic growth and development of a Country. The Government of Uganda is committed to extending such services as close as possible to the people of Uganda," Alupo said.

Dr Dorothy Kyeyune Byabazaire, the executive director of Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), said Uganda requires approximately 1,000 units of blood daily but faces a shortage of 1,300 units every day.

"Today we collect about 400,000 units of blood per year, though short of the World Health Organisation (WHO) requirement of 1% of the country population," Dr Byabazaire said.

Leaders in various capacities joined Vice President Jessica Alupo in cutting cake during the official opening of the blood bank. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

She added that the Soroti facility brings the total number of blood banks in Uganda to ten, with a capacity to collect up to 2,000 units per month and serving a catchment area of ten districts.

"It now supplies blood and blood products to 26 accredited health facilities across the. There is no doubt that this facility will improve the timely availability of safe blood and blood products for improved healthcare, including improved maternal health and reduced child mortality, as well as accident victims, sickle cell patients, among others," Byabazaire explained.

Eng. George Otim, commissioner for health services infrastructure, noted that the bank was built at a cost of sh6.3 billion and is fully equipped with high-tech equipment.